Vol. 493 No. 3
432 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the results of standardised testing in national schools is used by his Department in assessing the relative needs of schools for remedial or resource teachers; and, if not, the reason in this regard. [15607/98]
The results of standardised tests which were recently submitted by schools applying for a remedial teaching service are being used by my Department's inspectorate to assist in assessing the relative needs of schools for a remedial teaching service. Standardised tests assist in the identification of those pupils who are performing at a level below that expected for their chronological age. They do not identify the reasons for the level of performance. For this reason, the results of standardised tests are not used in the selection of schools for a resource teacher post. These posts are allocated on the basis of the number of pupils with assessed disabilities attending the school or clusters of schools and the special circumstances of schools. Such assessed disabilities include mental handicap, sensory impairment, physical disabilities and pupils who are emotionally disturbed.
